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I will be going to university in Fall of 2005 and I would like an evaluation of me, if possible.

I am a white male. My citizenships are Greek/Australian, my father is an Ambassador of Greece and I am currently studying in Canada. I moved to Canada in 10th grade but I speak fluent English.

The school system here in the province of Quebec is a little different. You graduate from high school in 11th grade and then you have to go to a two-year pre-university college. I am currently in my first year.

So my academics are:

Graduated from high school with an 89% average. Currently in college am doing very well. 85%+ above is honour roll and very hard to get such grades in the college. My marks are now over 85%.

Exams:

SAT I: 1400 V: 750 M: 650 (will be doing again)

SAT II: French (with Listening): 790
World History: 770
Writing: Will take soon. Hopefullu 700+.

AP: European History 5 (self-study)
French Language 5 (self-study)

Extracurriculars:

President in high-school
Soccer team in 10th grade
Volleyball team in 11th grade
Member of the Executive committee to organise an important school conference in 10th and 11th grade.
Current Affairs club 10th and 11th grade
Member of school team which participated in a political science tournament conducted in the French language 10th and 11th grade.
Participated in two Model UN's in 11th Grade. Won Distinguished Diplomat Award in the latter.

Conferences attended:
World Affairs Conference 2002 - Toronro
Canadian Student Leadership Conference 2002 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.


This year in college:

Member of Greek Club
Member of Amnesty International
Intramural Volleyball
Member of Drama Club

Community service:

Volunteered as a server/waiter for a private shelter which provides meals for homeless people.
Translation work + setup the local branch (Founder and co-president) of a philanthropic organisation for animal rights in Greece.
Recorded articles on phone for blind people to call in and listen.

Recommendations will be excellent as the principal of my high school assured me, and he is willing to write a top-notch one for me, so is the Dean of Acacemics.

I want to do a political science degree though I am unsure of where to go to school. I won't be requesting financial aid, so that may help my chances as many universities take financial aid request as a consideration for admissions.

Some schools I am considering: Amherst, Duke, Northwestern, Georgetown, Cornell, Rice, Tufts, Yale.

What are my chances, and what should I improve or concentrate on (as I have over 1.5 years left until I graduate from college) to ameliorate my chances for admissions?

Thanks in advance!

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 03:50 pm: Edit

Also, I forgot to mention that I am an Official Volunteer for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 04:12 pm: Edit

very good GPA if your school is highly competitive, very good test scores, decent ECs...i'd say you have a decent chance.

for your ECs, do you have anything with at least 3 years of involvement...i'm just curious to find out. thanks!

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 04:18 pm: Edit

Hi thanks for your response!

The problem you see with my EC's, which makes me look uncmommitted is that I moved to Canada in Grade 10 and that's when I started being active in schools. My previous school in Europe did not offer any extra-curricular activities.

And when I graduated in Grade 11, I am now at another school for 2 years, which means there are totally different choices of EC's, so it's very hard to have had a 3-year commitment to a particular activity. Do you think that will hurt my chances? Obviously, I will try and clarify my situation in my applications.

Also, would I be looked at a bit more leniently considering I have had to move countries throughout my life, because of my father's job?

By Giovanni (Giovanni) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 04:19 pm: Edit

Why don't you stay in Canada?

I'm looking at UBC and SFU in Vancouver.... I have a dual citizenship so I can go to Canadian schools for dirt cheap.

But you sould like a great applicant for those schools too...

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 04:29 pm: Edit

I am also considering Canada. My parents would be happy with me if I got into McGill, which shouldn't be a problem for me since they accept a large proportion of students from within the province, and their demands are pretty specific from students from the Quebec provonce, which I am currently fulfilling.

My parents do however ideally want me to go to the States and so do I, but the good thing is that there is no pressure on me. So in the States, I will only apply to schools I want to go to (no safety schools) which are prestigious, and if I don't get accepted to them, I will just stick around here.


Btw, UBC and SFU are very good schools in Canada, but the ones with the best reputation abroad are McGill and University of Toronto. If you're thinking of returning to the States afterwards, I suggest McGill and U of Toronto! Thanks for your responses!

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 10:21 pm: Edit

Any more comments on my chances? All feedback whether positive, negative, suggestions etc. are welcome!

Thank you in advance!

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - 12:53 am: Edit

bump ;)

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 05:51 pm: Edit

bump!

By Greekstyle (Greekstyle) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 10:46 pm: Edit

bump!

I am also considering Williams & Mary's College. Any input would be appreciated very much!